We are Techmer PM — the world’s foremost materials design firm, creating custom polymers that make up essential products. Through our long-standing partnerships with processors, original equipment manufacturers, and product designers, we’ve worked for decades to tackle manufacturing and business challenges through sustainable, future-minded solutions.
We are currently seeking a QC Lab Technician for our Wichita, Kansas facility. This position will be on 1sthift which is 6:00AM-2:30PM, Monday through Friday. Pay rate is $20.00 per hour and up depending on experience.
Benefits include:
- Eligible for medical benefits on your first day!
- High deductible health plan offering that includes up to $1,000 towards your Health Savings Account (HSA) per year.
- Free Teledoc membership included when you enroll in medical benefits.
- Employee Assistance Program which includes 5 free counseling sessions per year and access to free legal guidance
- 401(k) with 6% company match. You are 100% vested from Day 1 of contribution
- Free investment consultative services for your 401(k) plan.
- Company paid disability and life insurance
- 10 vacation days per year (pro-rated your first year)
- 10 company-paid holidays
- 2 weeks of parental leave
- Tuition reimbursement with up to a $20,000 lifetime maximum
- Annual salary reviews and bonus opportunities
- Hourly employees are paid weekly
Job Purpose:
Responsible for manufactured product certification by assuring that they conform to customer and Techmer PM requirements as specified in the Product and Process (P&P) Specification. This includes product testing, online color adjustments, identifying and dispositioning nonconforming products. This position requires an individual who has thorough knowledge of all QC procedures and lab equipment as well as raw materials and finished products.
Key Responsibilities:
The ideal candidate will ensure all products/materials meet quality requirements through quality control testing, sample compounding, and that all company resources are utilized efficiently.
- Operates process equipment to include injection molding machine, blown film machine, pellet melter, roll mills, and fiber lines as applicable.
- Operates analytical test equipment for plastic applications including Melt Indexer, Volatile/Moisture analyzer and others as required.
- Performs inspection per the Product and Process (P&P) Specification.
- Adjust color either on-line or off-line. Consults with manufacturing supervisor and technical services in making run vs. pull (termination) decisions with problematic orders (products).
- Utilize statistical tools e.g. SQC/SPC when applicable.
- Identifies out of control data points and takes proper action when applicable.
- Completes Certificate of Analysis (COA) with appropriate information as required.
- Investigates nonconforming raw materials and manufactured products and takes the proper action.
- Maintains product QC files to include making standards (if needed), entering data, closing out file and refiling, file retrieval for upcoming runs, verifying standard and taking the proper action if file is incomplete or standard is missing.
Core Competencies:
- Product Uniformity
- Ensure product lot to lot consistency
- Quality in Everything We do
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Prior experience in using a color spectrophotometer – Xrite, DataColor, or other equivalent.
- Basic computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
- Must have passed a Hue Value/Chroma Munsell test and be able to differentiate color hues.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in English. Proficiency in Spanish a plus.
- Strong mathematical skills, including the ability to accurately calculate fractions, percentages, ratios, additions, subtractions, and other routine mathematical operations required for color formulation, batching, adjustments, and quality analysis. Ability to apply math concepts to analytical reports, production calculations, and quality control data.
Job Requirements:
- High School Diploma
- Minimum 6 months of experience (preferred) working with color in plastics, paints, inks, or related materials, and/or quality control or lab-based processes. Equivalent education, training, or hands-on exposure will be considered.
Level 1 Expectations:
- Little to no experience (less than 2 years) and needs supervision.
- Be able to perform basic QC functions.
- Demonstrates the ability to perform basic math calculations, including weighing materials, calculating percentages and ratios, and verifying formulation amounts under supervision.
Quality management:
- Interprets and follows quality P&P (Inspection Record)
- Able to use equipment in QC lab (moisture analyzer, plastometer, gas pycnometer, spectrophotometer, scales)
- Ability to use equipment in lab process room (injection molding machines, film machines, pellet melter, carver press, cutting board)
- Independently operates injection molding machine and mold consistent chips in all polymers for use in color evaluations
- Has good color vision, passed a Hue Value/Chroma Munsell test and be able to differentiate color hues
- Develops an understanding of target versus tolerance for use in quality assurance
- Performs basic QC functions with guidance from an experienced technician
- Accurately weighs components to run shot on pellet melter, injection molding machine, and film machine
- Follows QC work instructions